Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to work towards taking the partnership for peace, prosperity and people to a "strategic" level.

Both countries condemned unconstitutional change of government and unlawful military takeover in any country, and called for urgent and unimpeded humanitarian assistance for those displaced due to conflicts, violence and atrocity crimes.

Highlighting partnership for strategic autonomy, peace and security, Bangladesh and France reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to international law and the UN Charter, notably the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts, and an abiding faith in multilateralism.  

In that regard, France and Bangladesh reiterated their commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations.

Bangladesh and France recalled the Letter of Intent on cooperation and exchanges in the field of defence signed between the two governments during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to France in November 2021.

Climate Emergency

Bangladesh and France believed in the strength of bilateral and international cooperation in the face of the climate emergency.

Both countries recognise the need for a more inclusive governance of the global financing architecture, following four key principles: ensuring that no country should have to choose between fighting poverty and conserving the planet; guaranteeing country ownership of transition strategies; delivering a financial stimulus with enhanced and predictable resources to support vulnerable economies; and mobilising additional private capital to achieve a net-zero and nature-positive world.

Bangladesh and France believed global efforts to facilitate access to climate finance for developing countries should be accelerated further.

France will continue to support vulnerable countries in facing extreme events and responding to loss and damage, including through the V20-G7 Global Shield against Climate Risks of which Bangladesh is a priority country, and through the further implementation of climate-resilient debt clauses.

Bangladesh and France support the operationalisation of the new funding arrangements, including a fund for assisting developing countries vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to loss and damage. 

France reasserted its will to support the aspirations of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, in particular by promoting the use of the notion of vulnerability and fine-tuning it towards resilience and prosperity in all relevant fora, including multilateral development banks.

Bangladesh and France agree to join their efforts to ensure a result-oriented COP28 in Dubai this year.

They share the expectation to chart a course at COP28 towards an urgent transition to a climate resilient world, including through investments in renewable and clean energy.

They reiterated the necessity to accelerate the global energy transition away from fossil fuels, and to set and meet ambitious targets for renewable energy production and energy efficiency around the world, while ensuring that this transition is just and equitable.

France reiterated its aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and move away from its dependency on fossil fuels, while Bangladesh underscores the need for a sustained collaborative approach to support its energy transition efforts through access to affordable finances and technologies.

Bangladesh and France observed that climate change and supply chain disruptions are having a disastrous toll on food sovereignty, food security and nutrition worldwide.

Bangladesh and France agreed to strengthen their cooperation in sustainable and resilient food and agriculture systems in support of food security through regular dialogues.

In this regard, France appreciated Bangladesh’s joining the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM) initiative led by France.

Bangladesh deeply appreciated France’s development cooperation support in various areas, e.g. from water treatment to clean energy, from urban development to inclusive health services, featuring climate-oriented projects.

Bangladesh and France stressed the importance of the crucial ecosystem services provided by forests and wetlands and commit to deepening their cooperation to conserve and expand Bangladesh’s rich mangroves that are vital reserves of both biodiversity and carbon. France appreciates Bangladesh’s continued efforts in conserving its mangrove forest in the southwest region and the biodiversity therein.

Bangladesh and France agreed to cooperate in the fields of ICT and digital technology, including artificial intelligence.

In this regard, France invited Bangladesh to consider joining initiatives such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence.

They also stressed the importance of joining their efforts towards an enhanced management of cybersecurity issues for a global, open and secure cyberspace governed by international law.

France will work towards identification of technical assistance to Bangladesh in dealing with cybersecurity threats and will work together on the Global Digital Compact under the aegis of the UN.

Highlighting partnership for people-centric connectivity, including through civil societies, Bangladesh and France regarded culture as a major asset to underpin a strong, renewed people-centric connectivity.

They commended their long-standing cooperation in the field of archaeology, particularly through the unique Mahasthangarh archaeological mission, and agree to discuss other possible excavation and restoration missions.

Both countries acknowledged interest in further developing their cultural cooperation, and note the major role played by the Alliances Françaises in Dhaka and Chattogram in that regard.

Both countries recognized the importance of multilingualism and commit to promoting the learning of the French language in Bangladesh and the Bangla language in France.

France agreed to provide diplomatic and French language training in France for the young diplomats of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and France agreed to continue their mutual cooperation within the UNESCO, including for promoting a Culture of Peace.

They wished to strengthen their scientific, technological and research cooperation and welcome the deployment of a French oceanography expert at the International Centre for Ocean Governance at Dhaka University as a means to bolster research cooperation in this crucial field.

Both countries reiterated their willingness to encourage more student, teacher and academics exchanges, including through training human resources at the higher educational and post-graduate level in diverse fields, with a focus on priority topics such as architecture, engineering, medicine, oceanography, seismology, climate action, sustainable tourism and development studies.

Bangladesh and France committed to launch regular high-level dialogues to deepen the strategic dimension of their partnership.

President Emmanuel Macron paid a bilateral visit to Bangladesh from 10-11 September.

The President of France and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh met on Monday in Dhaka to give a strong impetus to the bilateral relations, and stated their common conviction to develop a trusted and meaningful partnership fostering strategic autonomy - in support of global peace and security, resilience and prosperity, and people-centric connectivity.